The War of 1812

1. The War of 1812

2. The Decision for War • When Thomas Jefferson said that he wouldn’t run again for president in 1808: • Republican Party nominated James Madison • Federalists nominated Charles Pinckney • Madison won easily • When he assumed office, tensions between the U.S. and Britain were rising and it would fall to Madison to decide whether lead the U.S. to war or not

3. Economic Pressures • Madison wanted to avoid war • In order to force the British to stop seizing American ships Madison asked Congress to pass the Non-Intercourse Act. • This act forbade trade with France and Britain while authorizing the president to reopen trade with whichever country removed its trade restrictions first • His idea was to play Britain and France against each other…unsuccessful at first

4. Economic Pressures • Madison’s strategies eventually worked and by early 1812 the refusal of the U.S. to buy British goods had begun to hurt the British economy. • British merchants pressured their government to repeal its restrictions on trade. • In June of 1812 Britain ended all restrictions on American trade • BUT… it was too late. Two days later, the British learned that the U.S. had declared war

5. The War Hawks • Most members of Congress who wanted war came from the South and West. • These people were nicknamed the War Hawks by their opponents. • Henry Clay of Kentucky, John Calhoun of South Carolina, and Felix Grundy of Tennessee were the leaders of the War Hawks. Henry Clay Felix Grundy John Calhoun

6. War Hawks Beliefs • Believed that economic pressure had failed and the nation’s reputation was in danger if it did not go to war to stop the British from seizing American sailors. • Americans also believed that trade restrictions had hurt Southern planters and Western farmers because most of their income came from shipping tobacco, rice, wheat, and cotton overseas. • They also blamed the British for clashes with the Native Americans • Americans blamed the British for supporting Native American efforts against them along the frontier

7. Tecumseh and Tippecanoe • Tecumseh was a Shawnee leader who believed that Natives needed to unite in order to protect their land. • While Tecumseh worked for political union, his brother Tenskwatawa worked for the spiritual rebirth of the Native American culture • William Henry Harrison (governor of the Indiana Territory) sent troops to the Tippecanoe River to stop Tecumseh’s movement (while Tecumseh was in the South recruiting) • Tenskwatawa sent troops to intercept U.S. troops • This battle left 200 of Harrison’s troops dead or wounded • Tecumseh and other Natives’ confidence was shattered so they fled to Canada

8. Tecumseh’s flight to Canada • Some Americans thought this proved that the British were supporting the Natives • Western farmers argued that war with Britain would enable the U.S. to seize Canada and end Native attacks • In June of 1812 President Madison asked Congress to declare war

9. Why did the South and the West favor war with Great Britain? British trade restrictions hurt Southern planters and farmers because they earned much of their income from selling crops overseas. Western farmers and settlers also blamed the British for supporting Native American efforts against them along the frontier.

10. Preparation for War • The nation was not ready for war, however. • Military: • Navy only had 16 ships • Army had fewer than 7,000 troops • Financially: • The year before the war Republicans had shut down the Bank of the U.S. by refusing to renew its charter • This made it difficult for the U.S. to borrow money from banks since most private bankers were in the Northeast (opposed war and would not lend money)

11. Invasion of Canada • Despite the nation’s military and financial weakness, Madison ordered the military to invade Canada • American military leaders planned attacks from three directions: • From Detroit, Niagara Falls, and up the Hudson River valley toward Montreal. • All three attacks failed

12. Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie • The next year, the U.S. had more success after Commodore Oliver Perry secretly arranged for the construction of a fleet on the coast of Lake Erie in Ohio. • The four- hour long battle resulted in a British surrender. • By the end of 1813 however, the U.S. still had not conquered any territory in Canada

13. Why was conquering Canada an important American goal in the War of 1812? Many Americans believed that controlling Canada would end British support for Native Americans and thus end Native American attacks on the frontier.

14. British Forces Attack Washington • While attention was on Canada: • British troops landed within marching distance of Washington, D.C. • American militia defending the capital fled along with Madison and other government officials • British set fire to the White House and the Capitol • Then they prepared an attack on Baltimore

15. Attack on Baltimore • Unlike Washington, D.C., Baltimore was ready for the British • Baltimore militia caused many British casualties • After bombarding Fort McHenry throughout the night of September 13th, the British abandoned their attack on the city.

16. The National Anthem • Francis Scott Key, a young lawyer was held on a British Ship • He was happy to see that the U.S. flag was still flying above the fort at dawn • So he wrote a poem about the battle which became the U.S. national anthem

19. New England • British offensive made New Englanders further opposed to the war • December 1814, Federalists in the New England region to determine what to do independently of the U.S. • Essex Junto wanted to secede, too extreme for moderate Federalists • Hartford Convention –called for several amendments to increase the area’s political power

20. Battle of New Orleans • Less than a month later (January 1815) British fleet landed near New Orleans • American Commander General Andrew Jackson • Came up with a quick strategy of using cotton bales • These thick bales absorbed British bullets • British were advancing towards U.S. troops in the open (easy targets)

21. New Orleans Results • Decisive (clear) U.S. victory • Made Andrew Jackson a national hero • Helped to destroy the Federalist Party • Nationalism-strong feelings of patriotism existed at this point • Federalists appeared unpatriotic and divisive • Soon the party completely died out

22. Andrew Jackson

23. Treaty of Ghent • Negotiations began in Belgian city of Ghent before the major battles of 1814 • December 24, 1814 negotiators signed the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812 • Treaty restored prewar boundaries • Did not mention neutral rights and impressments • The war increased the nation’s prestige overseas and brought a new spirit of patriotism and national unity